For years people, gay men especially, have been in love with the Bolshoi Ballet and its home the Bolshoi Theater. In the more repressive days of the Soviet era, this was where one could watch liberating dance movements that defied the daily oppression. Opera's would ring out through the hall taking people back into another time.

The Bolshoi Theater was originally built in 1825. Over the years it has suffered through fire, bombings and revolutions. Now a $700 million renovation has just been completed. Go to the MSNBC site to see more pictures and the photographer credit.